ENGLISH CLASS - JOURNALISM / Topic: Oasis

THE MOST IMPORTANT UK BAND IN THIS MOMENT


Oasis were an English rock band that formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher (vocals and tambourine), Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass guitar) and Tony McCarroll (drums, percussion), who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar and vocals). As of June 2009, Oasis had sold over 70 million records worldwide. They have had eight UK number-one singles, fifteen NME Awards, nine Q Awards, four MTV Europe Music Awards and five BRIT Awards, including one in 2007 for outstanding contribution to music. The band initially gained prominence performing on the Manchester club circuit. Its members were signed to independent record label Creation Records and afterwards released their record-setting debut album Definitely Maybe in 1994. The following year, the band recorded the critically acclaimed (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) with their new drummer Alan White in the midst of rivalry with Britpop peers Blur in the charts. The Gallagher brothers featured regularly in tabloid newspapers for their sibling disputes and wild lifestyles. Oasis released their third album, Be Here Now, in 1997, which became the fastest-selling album in UK chart history, but lost much of its long-term appeal after initial enthusiasm tempered. The band lost two long-time members Paul McGuigan and Paul Arthurs as they went on to record and release Standing on the Shoulder of Giants in 2000 and Heathen Chemistry in 2002. The band found renewed success and popularity with their albums Don't Believe the Truth and Dig Out Your Sou and their supporting tours. In late August 2009, Noel Gallagher announced his departure from the band. While no official statement has since been made that the band has split, Liam Gallagher stated in an interview with The Times that "Oasis is no longer".

Musical style

Oasis were most heavily influenced by The Beatles. This influence was frequently labelled as an "obsession" by the British media. Musically and lyrically, they have also cited bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Sex Pistols, The Smiths, Neil Young, The Stooges and The Stone Roses as their major influences. Another of Oasis' influences has led to legal action: Neil Innes (ex of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and The Rutles) sued after the song "Whatever" borrowed from his "How Sweet To Be An Idiot". He was awarded royalties and a co-writer credit. Oasis were also sued by Coca Cola and forced to change lyrics after it was alleged that the song "Shakermaker" lifted words and melody from "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing". When promotional copies of (What's the Story) Morning Glory? were originally distributed, they contained a song called "Step Out". The promotional CD was quickly withdrawn and replaced with a version that omitted the controversial song, which was allegedly similar to the Stevie Wonder song "Uptight (Everything's Alright)". The song later appeared as the B-side to "Don't Look Back in Anger", albeit now listing "Wonder, et. al" as cowriters. The initial promotional CD of the album featuring "Step Out" is now a collectors item.

Several bands and artists have cited Oasis as an influence or inspiration, including Arctic Monkeys, Twisted Wheel, The Killers, Coldplay, The Coral, Glasvegas, Sum 41, Maroon 5, Pete Doherty and Kasabian, whose singer Tom Meighan is a close friend to Noel. No Way Sis were a cover band from Glasgow who had a top 40 hit in the UK with "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" a cover of the New Seekers song sung in the manner of Oasis. The Japanese band Little by Little derived their name from the Oasis song of the same name.